Foxface Lo or Kole Tang?

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

I think it's time my solo clownfish got a friend. I held off until the weather got better and I think now's a good time to start planning for the next addition. I'm trying to add an herbivore which will help with algae control. I currently have a bubble algae problem (hence the foxface as an option), but I typically don't have any algae in the tank. I manage that with a low nutrient tank, but I'd like to be able to maintain some nutrients without algae taking over. My previous experiences with dosing nitrates have shown I get a fast algae bloom.

I have a 50g mixed reef and I think I'm right on the line for both of these fish. I'm open to suggestions and opinions.

Potatohead · Sep 28, 2017

Tank is a little too small. I would do a lawnmower Blenny.

nautical_nathaniel · Sep 28, 2017

50 gallons is too tight of a fit for these two fish, would suggest a lawnmower blenny or similar blenny instead.

nautical_nathaniel · Sep 28, 2017

Potatohead said:
Tank is a little too small. I would do a lawnmower Blenny.

Wow, we both posted basically the same thing at the same time ;Hilarious

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

I was looking at the lawnmower blenny, but passed on it because of concerns for nipping at SPS and clams. It's also topless, so I'm worried about jumping.

nautical_nathaniel · Sep 28, 2017

TheEngineer said:
I was looking at the lawnmower blenny, but passed on it because of concerns for nipping at SPS and clams. It's also topless, so I'm worried about jumping.

Never seen one nip at SPS with the intention to eat it, just to try to get algae off of it. You're right to be worried about it jumping but your clown can do the very same thing. I, in general, think that every tank should at least have a screen top, but that's my two cents haha

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

pensacola-aquarist said:
Never seen one nip at SPS with the intention to eat it, just to try to get algae off of it. You're right to be worried about it jumping but your clown can do the very same thing. I, in general, think that every tank should at least have a screen top, but that's my two cents haha

The top is on my list. I want to get a wrasse or two in there. This is part of why I only have one fish right now.

My clown does jump, but only to bite me when my hand is near by.

keddre · Sep 28, 2017

How about an urchin or emerald crab? The urchin won't touch bubble algae, but if it's not too late you can still inject the algae

Potatohead · Sep 28, 2017

Jumping, as above. Nothing you can do other than have a top. FWIW I do not have one but have been thinking about adding one.

In terms of how the fish acts, depending on your LFS and how they house their fish, you can usually observe for 10-15 minutes and see the tendencies of the fish. I have never seen mine nip at any corals other than some algae around them.

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

keddre said:
How about an urchin or emerald crab? The urchin won't touch bubble algae, but if it's not too late you can still inject the algae

I have an emerald in there. It eliminated it all at first, but I think I overfeed reef chili for a couple weeks and it grew to crazy proportions. Not really a fan of urchins.

nautical_nathaniel · Sep 28, 2017

TheEngineer said:
The top is on my list. I want to get a wrasse or two in there. This is part of why I only have one fish right now.

My clown does jump, but only to bite me when my hand is near by.

Sounds like the typical clownfish haha

I would wait for the top first and then start adding your wrasses, if things go well you can add the blenny shortly thereafter. The blenny should go later because they can be a bit territorial and if you get something like a fairy wrasse after the blenny is established it may not go well.

keddre said:
How about an urchin or emerald crab? The urchin won't touch bubble algae, but if it's not too late you can still inject the algae

Urchin is not a bad idea at all, I have a black shortspine that does a great job.

keddre · Sep 28, 2017

TheEngineer said:
and it grew to crazy proportions

It sounds like it may be too late to manually remove them?

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

pensacola-aquarist said:
Sounds like the typical clownfish haha

I would wait for the top first and then start adding your wrasses, if things go well you can add the blenny shortly thereafter. The blenny should go later because they can be a bit territorial and if you get something like a fairy wrasse after the blenny is established it may not go well.

Urchin is not a bad idea at all, I have a black shortspine that does a great job.

Oh yeah, no wrasses before the top. I've just been too lazy to put together the plan I want and order the thing from Octo. That's good to know about their tendencies. I'm looking at a melanurus.

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

keddre said:
It sounds like it may be too late to manually remove them?

Oh yeah... big time.

nautical_nathaniel · Sep 28, 2017

TheEngineer said:
Oh yeah, no wrasses before the top. I've just been too lazy to put together the plan I want and order the thing from Octo. That's good to know about their tendencies. I'm looking at a melanurus.

Melanurus is pretty sturdy for a wrasse and not very aggressive at all. You probably wouldn't have a problem with one and lawnmower blenny. I'd get a male melanurus since they look a lot better than females, that being said, my female is still a welcomed addition in my tank and does a great job on pest control and crevice cleanup!

TheEngineer · Sep 28, 2017

pensacola-aquarist said:
Melanurus is pretty sturdy for a wrasse and not very aggressive at all. You probably wouldn't have a problem with one and lawnmower blenny. I'd get a male melanurus since they look a lot better than females, that being said, my female is still a welcomed addition in my tank and does a great job on pest control and crevice cleanup!

I love em. I had one in my 75g before I moved a few years back. Awesome fish. I’ve been wanting to get another since we moved.